Cork (Ireland), Sept. 19, 2014: Ireland’s Tyndall National Institute and the Waterford Institute of Technology’s Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to “draw down” (target) the €82 million funding available under the Eruopean Union’s ‘Horizon 2020’ programme in order to try and create 10 startups in the Internet of Things (IoT) field.
The MoU will formalise a partnership between the research institutions, which combines Tyndall and TSSG’s industry expertise in hardware and software development respectively, to create a full end-to-end offering in the IoT space. The target is to set up 10 companies based on IoT technologies that will span across multiple sectors. The MoU is first step on the path to positioning Tyndall/TSSG as global leaders in the IoT.
Tyndall National Institute is one of Europe’s leading research centres in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and the largest facility of its type in Ireland. Established in 2004 as a successor to the National Microelectronics Research Centre (NMRC founded in 1982) at University College Cork, the Institute employs over 460 researchers, engineers and support staff.
Ireland is fast turning into a global digital hub, especially on theIoT front, and the MoU comes at the “right time”, said some IoT analysts.
Tyndall and TSSG are already collaborating on several projects across the energy, agriculture, environment and health sectors to deliver a tangible connection for people between two worlds, the physical and connected.
One of them will enable the creation of a smart, farm management systems by monitoring and analyzing key data such as cattle movement and feed patterns and grass growth.
Speaking at the launch, Damien English, TD Minister for Skills Research & Innovation said, “Today’s announcement shows how Irish research institutions are combining to develop technologies and solutions that will impact on the world stage. This strategic partnership adds great strength to the position of Tyndall and TSSG as leaders in the development of new technologies and companies in the ICT sector. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure that Irish innovation continues to be at the forefront of technological development and that through the facilitation of such projects and collaborations, commercialisation opportunities are maximised and job creation is accelerated.”
According to Dr Kieran Drain, Chief Executive Officer, Tyndall National Institute, the MoU will accelerate the development of new technologies, generating new growth opportunities for indigenous industry, while also encouraging further foreign direct investment.
Professor Willie Donnelly, Director of Waterford Institute of Technology’s Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) commented, “The partnership between TSSG and Tyndall is a partnership brought about by a clear vision that both global research organisations have on producing products and services that will extend beyond the IoT and into an everyday future for the citizens of today’s societies. The partnership will place Ireland at the centre of the IoT conversation, positioning Ireland as a location of preference for the IOT industry.”
Image Credit: Tyndall National Institute
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